CONWAY, S.C. - Kieron James picked off a pass at the goal line, his first career interception and Western Illinois defense's fifth turnover of the game, to seal the Leathernecks' 17-10 win at Coastal Carolina Saturday afternoon (Nov. 27). With the win Western (8-4 overall) advances to the round of 16, traveling to top-seed Appalachian State next weekend.

Senior quarterback Matt Barr put his team in the lead, driving down the field late in the game for the go-ahead win. Justin Durham hit a 34-yard field goal with 4:38 remaining to tie the game at 10-all.

Barr and the offense took over on their own 19. Following two incomplete passes the Walter Payton Award finalist picked up a first down scrambling on 3rd-and-10, getting 11 yards. Caulton Ray broke off a 24-yard run then two plays later Bryce Flowers caught a screen pass and went 38 yards down to the CCU seven. Flowers rushed for two yards, then Barr threw an incomplete pass to Drew Helt in the endzone.

On 3rd-and-goal Barr went on a delayed draw and scored untouched. That TD run was his second of the game, seventh this year (breaking the record for most rushing TDs by a quarterback), and 14th of his career holding sole possession of that record.  Then it was up to the defense with 1:50 remaining.

Zach MacDowall started driving the Chanticleers (6-6) down the field. One of his passes on the drive was picked off by James, but the sophomore defensive back was called for pass interference eventually putting Coastal on its own 49.

When MacDowall scrambled out of bounds, Western was flagged for a late hit to put the ball on the five. On the next play James made a clean break on the ball along the left sidelines and stepped in front for his first interception of the season.

"These fans were treated to a great football game today between two very good Division I football teams. It was one of those days in the playoffs that somebody has to win and unfortunately somebody has to lose," said head coach Mark Hendrickson. "Our defense had five turnovers so that would be the number one highlight, with four of those coming in the redzone."

The defense recorded five turnovers in a game for the first time since five against Morehead State in 2006. Coastal committed four of those turnovers in the Leatherneck redzone.

Western was forced to punt on its opening drive. The Chants, led by MacDowall's passing, got into the redzone. Chris Boone stepped in front of the senior quarterback's pass at the 10, and came up with his first career interception.

On Coastal's next drive Eric O'Neal could not hold onto the handoff, and fumbled inside the redzone again. Tyler West came up with the loose ball, his first career fumble recovery. The Leathernecks could not do anything with the ball as Barr threw an interception and Coastal returned it into WIU territory.

The defense, however, forced a punt as the offense took over on its own eight. Two plays later Barr hit Terriun Crump down the left sidelines for 83 yards. Barr got it to the edge of the goal line, then on 3rd-and-a-inch punched it in. Pat Smith's extra point put Western ahead 7-0 five seconds into the second quarter.

Western connected again for a big gain into Coastal territory, this time a 43-yard pass from Barr to Lito Senatus. Smith nailed a 38-yard field goal, his longest this season, extending the lead to 10-0.

At the end of the half the Chanticleers drove into Western territory. Once again inside the redzone the Leatherneck defense came up with a big play when West stepped in front of MacDowall's pass in the endzone for his second interception this season.

CCU led in first downs 11-7 but Western out-gained the Chants 223-201 in the opening half. Barr had 182 yards through the air, and Crump accounted for 101 - his third 100-yard receiving game of the year.

Despite the 200-plus yards allowed, the Leatherneck defense held an opponent scoreless for the sixth time in a half this season.

Coastal's defense got it on the board. Barr dropped back to pass but Dominique Davenport stepped in front of the pass and went in untouched 17 yards for a touchdown, making it 10-7 with 4:36 left in the third.

Early in the fourth Coastal drove into the redzone again. Facing 3rd-and-inches MacDowall fumbles the snap but the Chants recovered. Following a delay of game penalty Justin Durham missed a 29-yard field goal.

Barr completed 13-of-29 passes for 233 yards with the two interceptions. He rushed for 45 yards and the two scores on eight carries. His two TD rushes tie for a Western playoff record.

"I have to give credit to the rest of the offense today, they picked me up at times. Guys made some great plays all game. Fortunately we put ourselves in position to make a play when it counted and we were able to capitalize on that," said Barr.

Crump caught five passes for 102 yards.

Senatus became the Western season receiving yards leader in the process. The senior wide receiver caught two passes totaling 53 yards, giving him a record 1,120 yards surpassing Stacy Coleman's record in 2002. Ray ended with a game-high 89 yards on 18 carries.

Kyle Glazier stated his case to win the Buck Buchanan Award as well in the game. The senior linebacker recorded 17 tackles, 13 solo stops, including one for a loss. Mike Stieren added eight stops and Brandon Kreczmer added seven.

The nation's second-ranked offense was held to 385 yards, more than 100 shy of its season average, while Coastal gained 462 total yards. The Leathernecks converted 9-of-18 times on third down while the Chants were 6-of-14.

MacDowall completed 21-of-39 passes for 292 yards and the four interceptions. He and O'Neal both gained 71 yards on the ground.

"We have 17 outstanding seniors on this team we do have outstanding character on this team. Our seniors are outstanding leaders 24 hours a day," said Hendrickson. "Our defense made a big stop late in the game, and our offense came through when we needed them to. We are happy to get on the bus and head back to Macomb with a victory. This was a hard fought battle, and we that coming in because they are such a quality team. It took all our efforts to pull this one out."

GAME NOTES: Western won the toss and elected to receive... Crump's 83-yard reception tied for the ninth-longest in program history... The last time Western recorded two interceptions in a game came in game 10 during the 2008 season, picking Illinois State off twice in the 48-45 overtime win... Senior Victor Visoky recorded his first career interception as Coastal started its opening drive of the second half... The four interceptions thrown by MacDowall tied a Coastal record... Four different Leathernecks recorded an interception. The team had recorded only five during the regular season... Barr broke the season passing yards record (Russ Michna, 3,160), now at 3,312 yards... Senatus' two catches gives him 62 this year, sole possession of third place... Glazier overtook fifth place all-time with 378 tackles, one shy of fourth place. It was his 20th career 10-plus tackle game... Ray now has 988 rushing yards this season.